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Road safety

RCMP hand out 96 tickets in Battlefords area during May long weekend

May 24, 2023 | 11:19 AM

The RCMP had a busy May long weekend and issued 96 tickets to drivers in a road-side safety check stops in the Battlefords and surrounding area.

The RCMP’s Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) unit conducted “a pro-active road-safety initiative” in and around the communities of North Battleford, Glaslyn and Turtleford from Friday, May 19 to Monday, May 22.

“You can tell by the number of warnings issued that our goal was road safety education this weekend,” RCMP CTSS Cpl. Ray Bouchard said. “Our officers provided guidance to motorists when vehicle equipment violations were identified. One example of this was a golf cart being towed on a trailer, which required extra straps to secure it properly. Because the weather is just warming up, we wanted to ensure issues were identified now so people towing boats, trailers and campers are safely traveling on the road all season long.”

In addition to the 96 tickets handed out, police issued 243 warnings; 25 inspection tickets were issued for vehicle equipment violations, which is a compliance order until the driver fixes the problem; 50 mandatory alcohol screening demands conducted resulted in two, three-day licence suspensions; one person was charged with impaired driving; two vehicles were impounded; three people were charged for having open alcohol in a vehicle; one charge was laid for a minor in possession of alcohol; 20 unregistered vehicles were identified; 10 unregistered trailers were identified; 14 people were charged for having a suspended licence, no driver’s licence, or driving with only a learner’s licence while not complying with restrictions. About 43 vehicles were taken out of service until problems identified, such as the brake lights not working, can be fixed.

As part of the May long weekend road safety traffic stops, from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on May 19, the RCMP’s CTSS teams from Rosetown, and Meadow Lake RCMP conducted proactive checks on Highway 4, north of North Battleford. and stopped about 200 to 250 vehicles. Police reported 25 tickets were handed out; 93 warnings were issued; 15 inspection tickets were given for vehicle equipment violations, which is a compliance order until the issue identified is rectified; five people were charged for having a suspended licence, no driver’s licence, or driving with only a learner’s licence contravening restrictions; five unregistered vehicles were identified; three unregistered trailers were identified; and 14 trailers were taken out of service due to non-compliance with vehicle equipment regulations.

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

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